Adjustable template



Dec. 12, 1933. G. McKITTRICK ADJUSTABLE TEMPLATE Filed Nov. 20. 1931 INVENTOR George MKiltrick,

ATTORNEY WlTNESS Patented Dec. 12, I933 UNlTED STATES ADJUSTABLE TEMPLATE George McKittrick, Independence, Kans.

Application November 20, 1931 Serial No. 576,359

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in adjustable templates, and more particularly to devices for drawing curves, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple adjustable template which may be bent so as to conform to a curve such as the radius of a circle or an irregular curve, and which may be locked rigidly in position so that a portion thereof may be used as a guide for marking.

A further object is to provide a device of the type described which is of simple construction as distinguished from other devices of the type involving the use of levers, extension arms, etc.

A further object is to provide a device'of the type which can be made at a small cost, since the main members thereof may be stamped from metal.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the template showing the manner in which the device is adjusted to form a curve,

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view of one of the elements,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of a modified form of one of the elements.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a number of metal pieces such as that set forth in Fig. 2. It will be observed that these pieces have a body portion 4 and angularly disposed extensions 5 and a base portion 6. The general contour of the piece forms a Y. The extensions 5 are provided with slots 7 for a purpose hereinafter described. These pieces are made of flat metal plates and can be punched out of metal very rapidly, thus rendering the cost of making these members very low.

Rigidly and immovably secured to the base portions 6 is a flexible metal strip 8 which is preferably made of steel, but may be made of other metal such as spring brass. The members 4 are preferably soldered to the strip 8 but they may be secured to the strip in any suitable manner. As will be seen from the drawings the members 4 are arranged in two rows with the extensions 5 overlapping so that the slots 7 of one of the Y-shaped members in one row will cross the slots of the extensions of the adjacent members in the other row.

At the portions where these slots cross are looking devices which consist preferably of bolts 9 which extend through the slots, these bolts having heads 10 on one side and being provided with winged nuts 11 on the opposite side.

In the use of the device the winged nuts are loosened and the flexible strip is made to conform to the curve desired. Thus it may be desirable to cut a windshield or similar object on a curve, and this curve is determined and the strip 8 is bent to conform with the curve. The winged nuts then are tightened and the flexible strip 8 1 then becomes a rigid member which acts as a guide to a cutting device such as a glass cutter which may be run along the flexible strip 8 of the guide to cut the glass on the curve.

I am aware that flexible devices for inscribing curves which may be locked in rigid position are not broadly new, but the present device differs from the ordinary device in that the flexible steel strip is secured directly to the body portion of the adjustable members as distinguished from other devices with which I am acquainted, in which slidable arms are attached to the adjustable body portions and the strip is secured to these slidable arms.

The present device has an advantage in that it hasfewer parts and the spring metal strip is held more rigidly than when held at the ends of relatively light arms. In the present device the only locking means is that to lock the Y-shaped members relatively to one another, as distinguished from other devices within my knowledge in which it is necessary not only to lock the members which correspond to the Y-shaped cured to the base portion of each of said Y- shaped plates, and locking bolts extending through the overlapping slots for locking the plates rigidly in adjusted position.

2. An adjustable template comprising a plurality of Y-shaped adjustable members arranged in overlapping relation, a spring strip rigidly and immovably secured to the base of each of said Y- shaped members, andmeans for locking the overlapping portions of said Y-shaped members in adjusted positions.

GEORGE McKITTRICK. 

